Dog shot by deputies after attack

Published: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 5:49 p.m.

A dog was shot to death Wednesday in Flat Rock after it charged deputies and bit a passerby, police said.

Animal Enforcement deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to East Blue Ridge Road around 5 p.m. May 1 in response to a pit bull attack.

A caller told emergency communications that a man was walking down the street when he was bitten by the dog in an unprovoked attack. The caller said the man sustained three to six bites on both legs and was bleeding, and that the dog was still at large in the area.

A dog was heard barking in the 911 recording.

“As officers responded to the location to ensure that EMS and fire members could safely get to the area and treat the wounded victim, they exited their patrol vehicles and were met by the suspect canine charging at the them in an aggressive, threatening manner,” said Major Frank Stout.

“Officers fired upon the pit bull just before it attacked them. Even wounded, the pit bull continued to advance on these officers aggressively and forced them to fire their weapons again to immediately stop the threat.”

Stout said officers located the pit bull’s owner and determined the animal was current on its rabies shots.

“The dog bite victim was transported, treated and released from Pardee Hospital,” he added.

No criminal charges were filed against the owner, Stout said, but civil action may be taken by the victim against the dog’s owner.

Residents in the area “spoke with officers on the scene and told them the dog had gotten loose in the past and their animals had been attacked. Other residents advised of a second pit bull at this location that was also known for aggressive behavior,” Stout said.

<p>A dog was shot to death Wednesday in Flat Rock after it charged deputies and bit a passerby, police said. </p><p>Animal Enforcement deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to East Blue Ridge Road around 5 p.m. May 1 in response to a pit bull attack. </p><p>A caller told emergency communications that a man was walking down the street when he was bitten by the dog in an unprovoked attack. The caller said the man sustained three to six bites on both legs and was bleeding, and that the dog was still at large in the area.</p><p>A dog was heard barking in the 911 recording. </p><p>“As officers responded to the location to ensure that EMS and fire members could safely get to the area and treat the wounded victim, they exited their patrol vehicles and were met by the suspect canine charging at the them in an aggressive, threatening manner,” said Major Frank Stout.</p><p>“Officers fired upon the pit bull just before it attacked them. Even wounded, the pit bull continued to advance on these officers aggressively and forced them to fire their weapons again to immediately stop the threat.”</p><p>Stout said officers located the pit bull's owner and determined the animal was current on its rabies shots.</p><p>“The dog bite victim was transported, treated and released from Pardee Hospital,” he added. </p><p>No criminal charges were filed against the owner, Stout said, but civil action may be taken by the victim against the dog's owner.</p><p>Residents in the area “spoke with officers on the scene and told them the dog had gotten loose in the past and their animals had been attacked. Other residents advised of a second pit bull at this location that was also known for aggressive behavior,” Stout said.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>